Selectively operable control mechanism for automatic phonographs



6 Sheets-Sheet 1 PLAYER c z er I ,4 J I 34/ A070. RECORD D. C. ROCKOLASELECTIVELY OPERABLE CONTROL MECHANISM Hill lill FOR AUTOMATICPHONOGRAPHS WALL 50X iTransmiiier E Oct. 20, 1959 Filed. Nov. 16, 19531959 D. c. ROCKOLA 2,909,761

SELECTIVELY OPERABLE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS FiledNov. 16, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NV EN TOR.

David 0, Boa/dam BY ,Mm= fizz/0:14

Oct. 20, 1959 D. c. ROCKOLA 2,909,761

SELECTIVELY OPERABLE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS FiledNov. 16, 1953 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Dar z/id C. Bockola Oct. 20, 1959 D. c. ROCKOLA 2,909,761 SELECTIVELYOPERABLE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS Filed Nov. 16, 19536 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

BY David ffiockola United States Patent SELECTIVELY OPERABLE CONTROLMECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPHS David C. Rockola, Chicago, Ill.,assiguor to Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, 11]., acorporation of Illinois This invention relates in general to automaticcoinare actuated by the movable leaves to automatically efiect groupselection and eliminate any possibility of error on the part of theoperator in that respect, as could readily occur if all indices wereexposed to view at all times and the operator were required to make agroup selection by manually actuating one of a plurality of groupcontrol members. Such automatic group selection control means thusinsures actuation only of the proper one of the possible three differentcontrolled operations which can result in response to depression of eachselector button. In other words, actuation of selector button controlledphonographs, and more particularly to selectively operable controlmechanism therefor.

A principal object of the invention is to simplify the task of making aselection and reduce the probability of selection errors by theprovision of mechanism which will enable an operator to effect any oneof a large number of possible operations, such as the playing of any oneof a large number of available phonograph recordings, after the propercoin or coins have been deposited, by operating a single push buttonfrom a group of buttons in number substantially less than that of thetotal possible operations.

Another object is to provide a plurality of groups of indices ofavailable selections in superposed and edgepivoted or book-like formwith each group comprising a page or two opposed pages of indices of anumber of selections, so that an operator may leaf through such pages ina natural fashion similar to leafing through a bound book; and todispose the same number of selector push buttons or manually operablecontrol members as there are indices in each group in marginallyadjacent alignment with the individual indices of such groups or pages,with control means automatically operable by the means supporting thepages for such leafing action to effect group selections or selection ofthat group of indices thereby exposed to view, whereby operation of anypush button will effect an operation of the mechanism thereby controlledcorresponding to or identified by the exposed index marginally alignedtherewith. Thus each actuation of each push button may effect any one ofa plurality of different operations equal in number k diiferentoperations equal in number to the number of such groups provided, butthe particular operation effected will be that identified by the exposedindex associated with the operated button.

More specifically, in the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed,these objects are attained by providing two parallel rows of manuallyoperable selector buttons, with ten buttons in each row, disposed atopposite sides of two adjacent stationary pages of ten identifyingindices each, whereby each index has one of those selector buttonsmarginally associated and visually aligned therewith; and pivotallymounting an edge of each oftwo leaf members adjacent the intersection ordividing line between the stationary pages so that those leaves may beswung into superposed relation with either of the stationary pages. Eachleaf mounts ten indices on each side arranged similarly to those on thestationary pages, resulting in four movable pages of ten indices each,so that three different groups of two pages and twenty indices each maybe selectively exposed to view and each push button may have threediiferent indices visually aligned with it. Control means in the form ofswitches #1 will result (1) in operation of selection #1 in the firstgroup identified by index #1, on page one if the first group comprisingpages one and two is exposed to view; (2) in operation of selection #21identified by index #21, which is correspondingly positioned relative toselector button #1 on page three, if the second group comprising pagesthree and four is exposed to view; or (3) in operation of selection #41if the third group comprising pages five and six is exposed to view,since index #41 then is superposed over indices #21 and #1.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a relatively simpleand inexpensive transmitter for automatically transmitting individuallyidentifiable selection signals to the controlled mechanism in desponseto actuation of such selectively operable control members. This objectis attained in the instant embodiment by use of a coding or pulsingsystem employing only a three wire transmitting conductor and includinga wiper arm cyclically operable in response to depression of any one ofthe selector buttons to successively wipe over two series of contactswhich are controlled, respectively, by' the several selector buttons andthe leaf-actuated control switches to transmit two spaced pulse trainsover a single signal line. The first such train in each instancecomprises a particular number of pulses corresponding to the particularselector button which is depressed, the circuit being controlled inresponse to depression of each selector button to energize acorresponding number of the spaced contacts of the first series. Agreater spacing is provided between the two series of contactssuccessively engaged by the wiper arm than that separating the contactsof each series to differentiate between the two signal trains. Thesecond train in each instance comprises no signal if the first group ofpages one and two of the indices is exposed, one signal pulse if pagesthree and four comprising the second group of identifying indices isexposed, and two pulses if the third group of indices is exposed to theview of the operator so that the actuated selector button is visuallyassociated with an index on pages five or six. This second signal trainis controlled automatically by the previously mentioned switchesactuated by the movable program or index supporting leaves.

A further important object of the instant invention is to insure properoperation of such control mechanism by providing novel full cycle meanswhich prevents an op.- erator from effecting a second or successiveselection until the signal resulting from a preceding selection has beencompleted. In the illustrated embodiment this full cycle controlmechanism comprises push button locking members, actuated in response toinitiation of a signal cycle normal inoperative position after eachsignal cycle, wherein they cannot latch or retain any of the pushbuttons in depressed position, and the provision of coin controlledaccumulator mechanism which, in addition to its usual function,automatically effects initial movement 'of the fulllc ycle lockingmembers to an operable'or' latching position for latching anysubsequently actuated selector button in depressed position. i v Afurther object of the invention is to facilitate insertion'an'dreplacement of the identifying indices by providing a readily removableprogram holder as a subassembly or unit comprising both the stationarypages and the'mo vable leaves, and novel and simplified means formounting such unit in proper relationship to the selector buttons toinsure visual alignment of the indices with their individual buttons.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses apreferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a preferred embodiment of myinvention;

Fig. 2 'is a front elevation of a remote control unit, such as thatshown at the left side of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the control unit of Fig. 2, as seen from the'left side thereof;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the unit of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view similar to Fig. 2 with the frontcover memberremoved, the back plate shown in broken lines and some parts omitted forthe sake of clarity; i

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the program holder of the remote control unit,as seen from the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

"Fig.7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, as seen substantially on the line 77of Fig. 5;

Figs. 8, 9 and are detail vertical sections taken substantially on thelines 8-8, 9-9, and 10-10, respectively, of Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged front elevation of the lower portion of thecontrol unit of Fig. 5 with the front plate of the accumulator and thesignal transmitter removed;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on the line12-12 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 13 is a detail rear elevation as seen from the line 13-13 of Fig.12',

Fig. 14 is an enlarged side view, as seen from the line 14-14 of Fig. 5,showing some of the control buttons and their locking member in normalinoperative positions;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 showing one of the control buttonsin depressed or operative position, with its locking member inintermediate latching position in full lines and in key-locking positionin broken lines;

Fig. 16 is a detail horizontal section taken on the line 16-16 of Fig.14;

Fig. 17 is a wiring diagram of the remote control and transmitter unit;and i Fig. 18 is a wiring diagram of the signal-receiver unit.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the instantinvention is illustrated diagrammatically as embodied in an automaticphonograph having a remote control unit, such as a wall box 31,including a transmitter or signal effecting means, designated generallyby reference numeral 32, and a device for selective operation under thecontrol thereof, such as a record player 33, including a receiver orsignal interpreting means, desig nated generally by reference numeral34, interconnected electrically with the transmitter 32 by a simplethree wire conductor 35. Figs. 2-5 show the selectively operable controlmechanismor wall box 31 as an illustrative embodiment of my inventionhaving a back plate or supporting frame 36 (Figs. 4 and 5) formedintegrally with a forwardly extending base plate 37 (Fig. 12), and acover member 38 which may be removably mounted thereon in similar mannerto that disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 216,152, filedMarch 17, 1951, and issued June 5, 1956 as Patent No. 2,748,973. Thecover '38 includes a centrally disposed and forwardly protruding, curvedwindow 39 (Figs. 2 and 3) through which suitable identifying indices 41may readily be seen, and two parallel rows of apertures to accommodateselectively operable push buttons or manual control members or keys 42,shown as numbering ten in each row, which thus are marginally associatedand visually aligned each with one of the visible indices 41. As shownin the wiring diagram of Fig. 17 for the control unit, each push button42 when depressed actuates a double switch 43, 44 of well-knownconstruction. The control unit 31 also includes the usual coin-receivingslot 45 and a make selection light 46, as best seen in Fig. 2.

Deposit of one or more coins in the slot 45 causes positive or additiveactuation of an accumulator, indicated generally by reference numeral 47in Figs. 5, 11 and 17, in the manner fully described in U.S. LettersPatent No. 2,613,791, issued October 14, 1952 and application Serial No.196,663, filed November 20, 1950 now abandoned. Briefly, coins ofdifferent denominations close different switches 48 (Fig. 17) toenergize the proper coil 49 which results in clockwise movements ofpawls 51 and 52 from their normal position of Fig. 11 against theirsprings, and immediate release thereof to permit accumulator spring 53to rotate ratchet wheel 54 additively (counter-clockwise in Fig. 11) inan accumulative amount corresponding to the value of the depositedcoins. A stud 55 carried by ratchet wheel 54 of the accumulator normallyholds a pair of accumulator switches 56, 57 open, and the latter areboth closed as stud 55 moves out of contact therewith in response tosuch additive actuation of the accumulator, and remain closed so long asany positive value remains in the accumulator.

Referring now to Figs. 5-10, a novel removable program holder orsupporting means for identifying indices 41, indicated generally byreference numeral 58, is illustrated as supported and retained againstforward movement at its lower end by the lower horizontal shelf portionof a frame plate or bracket 59 (Figs. 5 and 7) secured in any suitablemanner to the back plate 36. The holder 58 comprises a backing frame 61which terminates at its sides in rearwardly directed, vertical flanges62, and is provided with forwardly extending and centrally disposed topand bottom tabs or horizontal shelf portions 63 and a somewhat similarrearwardly extending bracket 64 at its upper end (Fig. 6). The rearportions of the lower ends of the vertical side flanges 62 extenddownwardly to engage in suitable recesses 65 in the supporting shelfportion of bracket 59 (Fig. 7) to insure proper central positioning ofthe holder 58 on the back plate 36 and to prevent forward movement ofthe lower portion of the holder frame 61. The upper edge of the backingframe 61 has a forwardly extending holding tab 66 (Figs. 5 and 8) whichcooperates with a shouldered leaf spring 67 extending forwardly from,and secured in any desired manner to an upper portion of frame plate orbracket 59 which may be a separate upper plate mounted by any suitablemeans in the plane of the lower plate 59 on the back plate 36, ifdesired, to releasably retain the upper portion of the holder frame 61against movement rela tive to back plate 36. The spring 67 preferablyhas a horizontally extending backing bracket 68 disposed above it tolimit its upward movement by tab 66 as the latter ismoved rearwardly(from left to right in Fig. 8) in mounting the holder 58 on the backplate 6 6. This not only prevents upward bending of spring 67 beyond itselastic limit, but. of more importance it positively insures properseating of frame 61 on the bracket or frame plates 59 and preventslatching of the holder 58 or the back plate 36 in any position exceptthat in which tho supported indices 41 are properly visually aligned and72.

with their associated push buttons 42. As best seen in Figs. 5 and 8,the backing frame 61 has riveted or otherwise secured in any suitablemanner to its forward face a plurality of horizontal rails 69 spacedvertically from each other, respectively, a sufiicient distance toslidably receive and retain the indices 41. With the spacing of theserails 69 illustrated, each index 41 thereby retained vertically subtendstwo adjacent push buttons 42 and will have two sets of identifyingindicia inscribed thereon, each horizontally aligned with one of thecontrol member 42. For controlling operation of an automatic phonograph,which is the intended function of the embodiment of the inventionillustrated, such arrangement greatly facilitates record substitution,since the identifying indicia for the recordings on the two sides ofeach record may be inscribed on a single index 41. As shown in Figs. 6,7, and 9, the right-hand half of the backing frame 61 may have theseindex retaining rails 69 omitted therefrom when only fifty selections,instead of sixty, are to be made available, as is the case with thespecific receiver unit 34 diagrammed in Fig. 18, in which case the spaceprovided by this right side of frame 61 may be utilized for advertisingor other desired purposes. In any case, the backing frame 61 thusprovides left and right-hand stationary page members, when properlymounted on the back plate 36, either or both of which supports aplurality of vertically spaced indices 41 to provide a plurality ofidentifying indicia respectively aligned with the different push buttons42.

The program holder 58 also comprises a plurality of movable leaves orpage members, herein illustrated as two in number and identified byreference numerals 71 A vertical shaft 73 spaced forwardly from thecentral portion of backing frame 61 is secured to, and supported in anysuitable manner by, the top and bottom tabs 63 (Figs 57). The inner edgeof page member 71 has a pair of spaced hinge straps or loops 74extending therefrom adjacent its top and bottom for pivotally embracingthe shaft 73, and the other page member 72 is provided with similarstraps or loops 74 (Fig. 5) likewise embracing shaft 73. Suitablespacing collars 75 are mounted on shaft 73 between the two lowermosthinge loops 74 and the lowermost one thereof and the bottom tab 63 toprevent vertical movements of members 71, 72 relative to the backingframe 61. The movable page members 71 and 72 thus may be swung togetheror independently of each other about shaft 73 between left-hand andright-hand positions wherein they are superposed, respectively, over theleft or right half of the backing frame 61. Each of the front and rearsurfaces of these movable leaves or page members 71,

72 is provided with index receiving rails 69 similar to those on backingframe 61, so that the members 71, 72 with indices 41 mounted thereoncomprise book-like leaves of opposed pages. The program holder 58 thusdesigned is adapted for selective exposure of any one of the followingthree groups of indices 41:

1. Pages 1 and 2, comprising the left half of backing frame 61 and thefront side of page member 71 when it is in its right-hand position;

II. Pages 3 and 4, comprising the front sides of page members 71 and 72when they are disposed, respectively, a

in their left and right-hand positions of Figs. 5, 6 and 7; and

III. Page 5, comprising the front side of page member 72 when in itsleft-hand position; or that page 5 and page 6, comprising the right halfof backing frame 61, if the latter is provided with the index receivingguide rails 69. v

Means also are provided, as part of program holder 58, for resilientlymaintaining the movable page or leaf members 71 and 72 in one or theother of their extreme left or right-hand positions, in order to avoidany possibility of confusion as to which selection will result fromdepression of any particular push button 42. This resilient retainingmeans comprises a pair of coil springs 76 and 77 connected at theirforward ends to the upstanding legs of leaf actuating finger pieces 78(Figs. 5 and 6) which preferably are formed as extensions of the leaf orpage members 71, 72 and terminate in horizontally extending handleportions disposed in the vertical plane of their respective members 71,72. Spring 76 is connected at its rear end to a vertical stud 79extending upwardly from the bracket 64 to the rear of backing frame 61and to the right of central shaft 73, and spring 77 is similarlyconnected at its rear end to a like pin or stud 81 to the left of shaft73. Pivotal movement of the page members 71 and 72 thus will swing theforward ends of their respective springs 76 and 77 from one to the otherside of their pivot shaft 73, so that these springs will effectivelyresiliently retain their page members in one or the other of their twoextreme left or right-hand positions. It will also thus be seen thatsprings 76 and 77 are connected as resilient toggle-like actuators fortheir page members 71 and 72, each spring functioning to move its pagemember to either its left or right-hand position whenever the pagemember is manually released, depending upon whether the point ofconnection of the forward end of the spring with its finger piece 78 isto the left or right of shaft 73. As a specific illustration, if pagemember 71 is swung counter-clockwise from its left-hand position of Fig.6 manually and released, spring 76 will return it to that positionof itsforward end at the moment of release is to the left of a vertical planethrough shaft 73 and stud 79, but if that forward point of connection ofthe spring with finger piece 78 has been moved to the right of suchvertical plane, the spring 76 will move the page member through itsbroken line position 71a (Fig. 6) to its right-hand position overlyingpage member 72. As best seen in Figs. 24, the cover 38 preferably isprovided with a horizontal recess 82 for accommodating and giving accessto the leaf actuating finger pieces 78.

Referring back to Figs. 5, 6, 9, l0 and 17, control means are providedwhich are automatically operable by the movable page members 71, 72 toeffect group selections or automatic selection of that group ofcontrolled mechanisms identified by the visually exposed group ofindices 41. This control means comprises a plurality of group signalswitches, being two in number in the illustrated embodiment of theinvention, designated by reference numerals 83 and 84. These switches83, 84 are normally closed leaf switches mounted in the usual manner attheir rear ends in laminated insulated blocks 85 with the rear ends ofunderlying leaf springs 86 and 87, respectively, the forward ends of thesprings 86, 87 being curved upwardly as shown in Figs. 5,9 and 10. Theinsulating blocks 85 are mounted in any suitable manner on the backplate 36, and switches 83 and 84 are adapted to be opened and held openwhenever their associated movable page members 71 and 72 are swung totheir right-hand positions. For this purpose each of the page members 71and 72 is provided, respectively, with an upstanding lug 88 and 89 onits upper edge and spaced inwardly from its outer edge to swing underand raise its associated leaf spring 86 and 87 when the page members aremoved to their righthand positions. For example, with page member 71 inits left-hand position and page member 72 in its righthand position, asshown in Figs. 5 and 6, lug 88 is at the opposite side of the unit fromswitch 83 so that the latter is closed as shown in Fig. 10, while lug 89is dis posed under switch actuating spring 87 and maintains switch 87open, as shown in Fig. 9. The broken line position 71a of page member 71in Fig. 6 illustrates how lug 88 will similarly actuate or raise spring86 as the movable page member 71 is swung therefrom rearwardly or in acounter-clockwise direction by its coil spring 76. Thus with both pagemembers 71 and 72 in their right-hand positions to expose the indices 41of previously defined group I, both switches '83 and 84 are open; withthe page members disposed in their opposed positions of Fig. 6 to exposethe indices of group II, switch 83 is closed and switch 84 is open; andboth switches 83 and 84 are closed Whenever both page members 71 and 72are in their left-hand positions to expose the indices 41 of group III.

The control unit 31 includes a motor 91 (Figs. 11 and 17) mounted inwell-known manner in an auxiliary frame comprising a pair of parallelplates 92 (Fig. 12) secured together by suitable spacers and bolts 93(Fig, 11) and mounted by the latter on a frame plate 94 which isupstanding from and secured to the base plate 37 (Fig. 12'). A geartrain 95 connects the rotor of motor 91 to drive a horizontal shaft 96suitably journaled in the auxiliary frame plates 92 and extendingforwardly through the front one of those plates (Fig. 12). The

forward end of shaft 96 carries a contact wiper arm 97 (Figs. and 12)for successively engaging, first a pair of contacts 98, and then twoseries of contacts 99 and 101, in each cycle of operations comprisingone complete rotation of theshaft. The several contacts 98, 99 and 101are carried by and spaced peripherally around an insulation disc 102. Asseen in Fig. 12, the disc 102 is mounted upon the forward auxiliaryframe plate 92. The shaft 96 also has mounted thereon three cams 103,104 and 105. The'front cam 103 actuates a follower lever 106 (Fig. 11),which is held in engagement therewith by a spring 107, and a pawl 108pivotally mounted on the outer end of lever 106 and resiliently-retainedin opera'tive position by a spring 109. A rearwardly extending shelf ornose on pawl 108 (Fig. 12) cooperates with the units ratchet wheel 54 ofthe accumulator 47, being raised by spring 107 near the end of eachcycle of operations, as permitted by cam 103, to subtract one unit ofvalue from the accumulator by rotating the units wheel 54 oneincrementalstep in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 11. Cam 103 and members106109 thus comprise the accumulator zeroizing or debiting means.

The intermediate cam 104 actuates a lever 111 which is pivoted on a studshaft 112, in turn secured at its rear parts at the end of a cycle ofoperations, lever 111 is held in' an upper position by cam 104 tomaintain open a motor full cycle switch 113 which is mounted inwellknown manner on frame plate 94.

Therear cam 105 on shaft 96 has a rise or high point 114, anintermediate portion 115 and a low part 116 (Fig. 11) cooperating withthe lower end of a depending arm 117 of a key lock blocking andreleasing bell crank lever 118. Intermediate its ends, bell crank 118 isprovided with a forwardly extending hub portion119 that is pivotallymounted on stud shaft 112 (Fig. 12). The remaining arm 121 of hell cranklever 118 extends rearwardly through a suitable opening in frame plate94 and terminates in an upstanding finger or end portion 122 whichunderlies, and normally supports in an upper operative position, thetransverse body portion of a key lock blocking bail or rocker bar 123.As shown in Figs. 5 and 12, bail 123 terminates at its ends in forwardlyextending arms which are pivoted at 124 to forwardly extending endflanges 125 of frame plate 59 and have secured thereto in any suitablemanner lateral extensions 126. Each extension 126 of bail 123 (Figs.12-15) underlies the lower end of a vertical key lock slide or bar127associated with one of the two banks of ten push buttons or selectorkeys 42.

Each of these banks of selector keys 42 comprises front and rearvertical frame plates 128 (Fig. 15) secured to gether in spacedrelationship by top and bottom spacer plates 129, the front frame plates128 being mounted in well-known manner on lateral extensions 131 (Figs.5 and 12) of the end flanges 125 of frame 59. Each push button 42' has akey stem 132 mounted in the usual manner for limited horizontal slidingmovement in suitable slots 'in frame plates 128 for actuating itsassociated switches 43, 44, and is urgedforwardly by a spring 133 (Fig.15). The keylock slide or bar 127 of each bank extends throughintermediate slots 134 in its associated key stems 132. These slots 134,along with sholter forward slots, also define a transverse web 135 ineach key stem for cooperation with an associated cam and key-latchingand locking nose 136, one of which is formed as a forward and downwardextension on the forward edge of each slide 127 adjacent each key stem.The lower end of each slide or bar 127 below the bottom plate'129 has aspring 137 mounted thereon which urges the slide to a lowermostkey-locking position, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 15.

Referring now to Fig. 17, which comprises a schematic wiring diagram ofthe circuit for the remote control unit 31 and its signal transmitter32, it will be seen that this circuit includes a power line 138,preferably supplying alternating current of 24 volts, a signal line 139and a common ground line 141. These three lines 138, 139 and 141 areconnected to similar lines in the receiver or signal interpreting unit34 (Fig. 18) in well-known man nor by the simple three wire conductor 35shown in Fig. 1. Again referring to Fig. 17, it will be seen that thesupply line 138 is connected at the right side to that figure through asuitable rectifier in parallel to the several coin switches 48 of theaccumulator 47. The other sides of these normally open coin switches 48are connected, respectively, to one side of their associated accumulatorcoils 49, the other sides of which are connected to the ground wire 141.One side of the motor 91 is connected to the supply line 138, while itsother side is connected by a conductor 142 to one side of the firstaccumulator switch 56 and one side of the full cycle switch 113. Theother side of normally open switch 113 is connected to the common ground141. The other side of normally open switch 56 is connected by aconductor 143 to the two motor contacts 98 on the disc 102. A conductor144 is connected to the first side of accumulator switch 56 andconductor 142 and extends through the two key banks for cooperation withthe outer or forward push button switches 43, in a manner to be laterdescribed.

Interconnected between the supply line 138 and the common ground 141, asseen at the left in Fig. 17, is a suitable transformer 145, thesecondary of which is connected to one side of the make selection light46 and a plurality of program lights 146. The other sides of theseprogram lights 146 are grounded to the common line 141, and they aresuitably located in the casing of control unit 31 to illuminate the coinslot 45 and the program holder 58. A conductor 147 connects the otherside of make selection light 46 through the several normally closed pushbutton switches 43 to one side of the normally open second accumulatorswitch 57. The other side of this switch 57 is connected to the commonground 141. In the lower central portion of Fig. 17 it will be seen thatthe signal line 139 is connected to one side of the first page signalswitch 83, the other side of this switch being connected both to oneside of the second page signal switch 84 and, by a conductor 148, to thesecond pulse train contact 101 second-from-the-left in the group of sixsuch contacts 101 illustrated. The next-tothe-right or third suchcontact 101 is connected by a conductor 149 to the other side of thesecond page switch 84. The contact wiper arm 97 is connected by a line151 to the common ground 141. The inner or rearward push button switch44 operable by the number one key or push button 42 is shown asconnected from point A to the signal line 139, and the latter also isconnected at A on the disc 102 to the last three contacts 99 thereon ofthe first pulse train, being the contacts numbered 20, 21 and 22. Insimilar manner, conductors 152 respectively connect the other pushbutton switches 44 with those conall selections previously made havebeen effected, the.

various parts stop and are in their normally inoperative positions, asillustrated in Figs. 5, 11, 14 and 17. In such positions, all of thepush buttons or selection keys 42 may be depressed or moved rearwardly,but such operation will have no effect whatever. The only time thatdepression of a push button 42 will be effective is at the end of anycycle of operations, or prior to the start thereof, while one or moreunits of value are registered in the accumulator 47 by virtue of priordeposit of a proper coin or coins in the coin slot 45. As previouslydescribed, deposit of any proper coin or coins in the coin slot 45results in such coin closing one or the other of the switches 48 and, aswill best be appreciated from the wiring diagram of Fig. 17, that willcause actuation of the associated accumulator coil 49. Referring to Fig.11, such energization of coil 49 moves the two pawls 51 and 52 clockwiseto disengage the former and engage the latter with the associatedaccumulator ratchet wheel 54 to allow spring 53 to rotate theaccumulator in a counterclockwise direction. Such rotation is limited inthe first instance by pawl 52 and, in response to the substantiallyimmediate de-energization of coil 49, in the second instance by the pawl51 which, together with pawl 52 are returned to their normal positionsof Fig. 11 by their associated springs. One or more units of valuecorresponding to the value of any deposited coin thus are accumulated,and the stud 55 is moved out of engagement with the accumulator switches56, 57 to permit those normally open switches to be closed.

Two things result from such deposit of one or more coins in the controlunit. One of these occurrences is the closing of the second accumulatorswitch 57, which completes a circuit through the make selection light46. As shown in Fig. 17, this circuit extends from the transformer 145through conductor 147 and the several normally closed push buttonswitches 43 and switch 57 to the common ground line 141. The operator isthus apprized that the control unit has been rendered operative and thatany subsequent depression of a selected push button 42 will be effectiveto cause actuation of the corresponding controlled element in the recordplayer 33 or other mechanism controlled by the unit 31. The second ofthese occurrences comprises the simultaneous closing of the firstaccumulator switch 56. Closing of the first accumulator switch 56completes a circuit through motor 91 from the supply dine 138 throughconductor 142, switch 56, lead 143, contacts 98, wiper arm 97 and lead151 to the common or ground wire 141. Motor 91 is thereby energizeduntil, through gear train 95 and shaft 96, wiper arm 97 is moved in acounter-clockwise direction (viewing Figs. and 17) out of contact withthe upper of the two contacts 98. At that time, such circuit throughmotor 91 will be broken, and the operating mechanism will come to rest.This initial operation of motor 91 also rotates cams 103, 104 and 105 ina counter-clockwise direction (viewing Fig. 11) through a comparableangular distance. Such incremental actuation of cams 103 and 104 willhave no effect upon their respective cam followers 106 and 111. However,it will result in the high portion or rise 114 of cam 105 being moveddownwardly out of contact with the lower end or arm 117 of bell crank118, and the parts will come to rest with this end of arm 117 in contactwith the intermediate portion 115 of cam 105. The bell crank 118 is thusmoved a short distance about its pivot 112 in a counterclockwisedirection from its normal position of Fig. 11, which results in the bail123 and its extensions 126 moving downwardly from the position of Figs.11-14 to the- 2 therein by push button #1.

full line position of'Fig. 15. In such intermediate position, theextensions 126 maintain the key lock bars or slides 127 in theirintermediate full line position of Fig. 15. In this second or latchingposition, the slides 127 will function to latch any actuated push button42 in its depressed or operative position. It will be readilyunderstood, of course, that depression of any other push button 42 inthe same key bank, following latching of one of the members 42 in itsdepressed position, as illustrated by the lowest push button 42 in Fig.15, will result in the latter push button being released for return tonormal position by its spring 133 and similar latching of thesubsequently actuated push button in depressed position. Such actionresults from the transverse web 135 of the subsequently depressed keystem 132 camming the slide 127 against its spring 137 by contact againstthe lower angularly disposed end surface of the associated nose 136.While depression of a push button 42 in the other key bank from that inwhich a previously depressed push button is latched in actuated positionwill not release such previously depressed push button 42, for reasonsthat will more clearly appear later, only that push button 42 having thelowest identifying number will be effective to make a selection.

Following coin-responsive actuation of the accumulator 47 and theresulting turning on of make selection light 46, depression of anyselected push button 42 will be accompanied by rearward movement of itsassociated switches 43, 44 from their normally full line positions ofFig. 17 to their broken line positions illustrated Switch 43 of selectorbutton #1 thus actuated breaks the circuit through make selection light46 to turn the latter off and closes a second starting circuit for motor91. This latter motor starting circuit is traceable in Fig. 17 throughconductor 142, conductor 144, the actuated switch 43, conductor 147 I(and the normally closed switches 43 of the other key bank) and thesecond accumulator switch 57. A complete cycle of operations is therebyinitiated to rotate shaft 96, wiper arm 97 and cams 103, 104 and 105 incounter-clockwise direction, viewing Figs. 5, 11 and 17, to return thesame to their normal rest positions of those figures. During suchoperation, cam 104 functions to close full cycle switch 113 to maintainmotor 91 energized until just prior to completion of the cycle, when itagain opens switch 113.

In immediate response to such re-energization of motor 91 followingselective actuation of a push button 42, the intermediate portion 115 ofcam 105 is moved out of engagement with the lower end of arm 117 topermit bell crank 118 to be further rotated in a counterclockwisedirection (viewing Fig. 11). This movement of bell crank 118, which islimited by engagement of its arm 117 with the low part 116 of cam 105,permits bail 123 and its lateral extensions 126 to fall to a lowermostposition. Such movement of extensions 126 is that from the full line tothe broken line position of Fig. 15, and is assisted by the weight ofslides 127 and the action of their springs 137. Slides 127 thus arelowered to their broken line position of Fig. 15 substantiallyimmediately in response to actuation of any one of the selector buttons42. The two slides or bars 127 thus assume a third or locking andblocking position to positively prevent subsequent depression oractuation 7 that cycle. -cam raises bell crank 118 to its normalposition of any other push button or selector 42, and to lock the pushbutton 42 whose depression initiated this cycle of operations indepressed position for the remainder of As the cycle of operations iscompleted,

position near-the end of the cycle of operations. In the meantime, cam103 has permitted actuation of lever 196 and pawl by spring 107 toreversely actuate the units order ratchet wheel 54 to subtract or debitone unit of value from the accumulator 47. Such debiting action must beaccomplished before the end of the cycle of operations in order that cam103 may return lever 11% and pawl 195 to their normal inoperativeposition of Fig. 11. Consequently, if 'such debiting actuation zeroizesthe accumulator 47 by removing therefrom the last unit of valuepreviously registered in response to coin deposit, stud 55 will therebyopen the accumulator switches 56, 57 before the end of the cycle ofoperations. While this will result in the opening of the startingcircuit through motor 91 including conductor 147, the full cycle switch113 will insure continued actuation of motor 91 until it in turn isopened just prior to the very end of the cycle by cam 104. In suchevent, the parts actuated by motor 91 will come to'rest in their normalpositions of Figs. 5, l1 and 17. If, however, that cycle of operationsdoes not result in zeroizing of the accumulator 47, and any additionalunit or units of value remain therein, the accumulator switches 56, 57remain closed. As a result, the first motor-initiating circuit throughconductor 142, switch 56 and conductor 143 will be energized as thewiper arm 97 returns to its normal position of Fig. 17 to continueoperation of the motor 91 until wiper arm 97 is moved out of engagementwith the second contact 98. The previously effective push button 42having been returned to normal position, make selection light 46 isagain energized to indicate to the operator that unit 31 is in conditionfor a subsequent selection to be made. Thus each selective actuation ofa push button 42 will efiect a complete cycle of operations of thecontrol unit, and the number of selective cycles that may be initiatedwill depend upon the number of units of value registered by theaccumulator in response to deposit of proper coins in the coin slot 45of that particular control unit. If more than one such control unit isconnected to the record player 33, or other mechanism to be controlled,which can be done in a manner clearly apparent to anyone skilled in theart, actuation of the selector buttons 42 of any such control unit willhave no effect except under the control of the accumulator of thatparticular control unit.

During each cycle of operations, the wiper arm 97 in itscounter-clockwise rotation, viewing Fig. 17, successively engages eachof the first pulse train contacts 99 "the wiper arm 97 as the lattersuccessively engages them,

so that the signal line 139 will transmit a resultingfirst train si nalcomprising twenty-two spaced pulses. This is accomplished by wiper arm97 because there are twenty-two contacts 99, all of which are activewhen the #20 selector button 42 is locked in depressed position toground arm '97 through their respective leads 152, the remaining closedpush button switches 44 and conductor 153, and the connection from pointA of the switch 44 associated with the #1 push button 42 to the signalline 139. In the event of any other smaller numbered push button 4-2.being that which is locked in depressed position, it will be seen thatits resultingly opened switch 44 will break this last-described circuitto render inactive all of the contacts 99 associated with the highernumbered push buttons 42. Thus, for exam le, if the #1 push button 42 isthat which is locked in depressed position, all except the last threecontacts 99, which are identified as #20, #21 and #22, will be renderedinactive by the resulting opening of the switch 44 associated with that#1 push button-42, as illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 17. As aresult, only three each other.

spaced signal pulses will flow through signal line 139,

which will occur as wiper arm 97 successively engages those contacts 99numbered 20, 21 and 22. In other words, the first signal train resultingfrom effective" depression of any selector button '42 will consist of aseries 'of spaced pulses through signal line 139 of a number comprisingtwo more than the number identifying the depressed push button. It willalso be'seen frorn'the above that simultaneous depression of two or morepush buttons 42, either in the same or both key banks, will result inonly that signal being given-which corresponds, or is that normallygiven in response to the depression of, the lowest numbered depressedpush button 42, since the switch 44 associated with the latter willrender ineffective all of the contacts 99 associated with the highernumbered push buttons 42. It will further be seen from the above thatrelease of the push buttons 42 by action of the cam may be accomplishedat any time during the cycle of operations after wiper arm 97 has passedthe #22 contact 99. Thereafter in each cycle of operations, the switches43, 44 perform no'function, other than that of the switches 43 inclosing causing re-energization of the make selection light 46,providing accumulator 47 still containssome positive values so that itsswitch 57 remains closed.

As will be noted in Fig. 17, the spacing between the last or #22 contact99 of the first pulse-train-controlling series of contacts and the firstcontact 101 of the series of contacts controlling the second pulse trainsignal is greater than that separating the several contacts 99 from Thesignificance of this spacing arrangement of the contacts engaged bywiper arm 97 will be more clearly apparent from the followingdescription. Depending upon which group of selections has been renderedactive, or which group of indices 41 has been selected by the operator,or rendered visible, by the actuation of the movable page members 71and/or 72, the two page signal switches 83 and 84 will either both beopen or closed, or switch 83 will be closed and switch 84 open, aspreviously described. 'Thus, as previously described, if both of thepage members 71 and 72 are disposed in their right-hand positions toexpose to view the identifying indices 41 of group I, both switches 83and 84 will be open; if group II has been selected, switch 83 will beclosed and switch 84 open; and both switches 83 and 84 will be closed ifthe indices of group III are exposed to view. The character of the firstsignal train 1n each instance depends solely upon which of the selectorbuttons 42 has been rendered effective, so that the signal given in thefirst train will be the same in response to depression of any particularone of the push buttons 43, regardless of which group of identityingindices 41 is exposed to view and the condition of switches 83 and 84.These switches 83, 84 determine the character of the signal given in thesecond pulse train automatically in response to the particular positionsof page members 71 and 72. With group I selected and both switches 83and-84 open, there will beno signal pulses transmitted following thoseof the first train. With group II of the identifying indices 41 selectedand page switch 83 closed, the second signal train will comprise onepulse which is effected in response to grounding of wiper arm 97 fromsignal line 139, through switch 83, conductor 148 and the second contact101, as wiper arm 97- engages the latter. With group III selected, bothswitches 83 and 84 being closed, the second signal train will comprisetwo spaced pulses, the first as just described, and the second resultingfrom grounding of wiper arm 97 as it engages the third contact 101, thuscompleting the circuit from signal line 139 through switches 83 and 84,lead 149, wiper arm 97 and conductor 151 to the common ground line 141.Generally speaking, it is necessary to maintain a constant intervalbetween the first andsecond signal trains in order to satisfactorilyevaluate or decipher the resulting signals i at the receiver 34. As willbe appreciated from the above, this has been accomplished by thedescribed arrangement of rotating the wiper arm 97 in a counterclockwisedirection and connecting the contacts 99 to the push button switches 44in reverse sequence relative to the numbering of the selector buttons 42and the electrical interconnection between their respective switches. Inpractice, the spacing between the last engaged contact 99 and the firstactive contact 101 has been so arranged relative to the speed ofrotation of wiper arm 97 that the interval between the last pulse of thefirst signal train and the first pulse of the second signal train, ifany, will always be the same, and in the preferred embodiment in thenature of one fifth of a second. At the same time, the interval betweenpulses in the first signal train is in the nature of one twentyfifth ofa second, being determined by the spacing between each of the adjacentcontacts 99 in relation to the speed of rotation of wiper arm 97. Thissame interval or off time may be maintained between the pulses of thesecond signal train, as determined by the spacing between adjacentcontacts 101.

Referring now to Fig. 18, the receiver or signalinterpreting unit 34,for which this figure gives the wiring diagram, is designed to count thepulses in the two signal trains carried by the signal line 139 andcontrolled as above described, to differentiate between the two trainsof pulses, to select the proper specific electrical element to beenergized to thereby effect the desired selected operation of thephonograph 33, or other controlled mechanism, and to reset itself afterthus accomplishnig each selection or cycle of operations. As previouslynoted, the three lines 138, 139 and 141 of Fig. 17 are connected to thereceiver circuit of Fig. 18 (lower left-hand corner) by conductor 35.The coil 154 of a pulse relay comprising part of a pulse-responsivemeans is connected from supply line 138 to signal line 139, in serieswith a suitable fuse, resistor and rectifier, so as to be operable inresponse to each signal pulse effected, as previously explained, by thegrounding of wiper arm 97 of the control unit 31. Suitable condensersalso are connected between opposite sides of coil 154 and the groundline 141, as shown at the lower left corner of Fig. 18. Refer now to theupper portion of this wiring diagram, a transformer 155 is shownconnected to a standard power supply, anda full wave selenium bridgerectifier 156 is connected to the outlet a coil 164 and a double throwswitch 165 actuated thereby, while the No. 2 time delay relay comprisesa coil 166 for controlling actuation of one normally open switch 167 andtwo normally closed switches 168 and 169. The transfer relay comprises acoil 171 and three double throw switches 172, 173 and 174 and a normallyopen switch 175 controlled thereby. This latter transfer relay switch175 is connected in seriees with the No. 2 time delay relay switch 169,from the alternate current supply line 138 (lower left corner of Fig.18), and a reset relay coil 176 and the arm of a level step switch 177.The latter normally engages the contact 178 of a level step switchcontact disc containing several numbered contacts 178, is movablestep-by-step counter-clockwise by energizations of its coil 159, and isreturned clockwise to its zero position of Fig. 18 in response toenergization of its release coil 161. The

181 and 182, which are connected in turn, respectively,

to wiper arms 183, 184 and 185 of a multiple-armed tacts 186 of thatswitch. These contacts 186 are numbered in like manner to theidentifying indices 41 and are connected, respectively, by conductors187 .to separate contacts 188 of sockets G and R. One of these contacts188 of each socket is connected to the common ground line 141 by aconductor 189, and another contact 188 is connected to the supply line138. Thus, suitable plugs and conductors engaging sockeets G and R willinterconnect the contacts 186 with the usual selector coils of thephonograph 33, or other individual electrically operable members of theapparatus to be controlled by selector unit 31. The wiper arms 183, 184and 185 are returned in a clockwise direction to their normal or homeposition of Fig. 18 in response to energization of reset relay coil 176in well-known manner. The reset relay also includes a normally closedswitch 191 which is held open during energization of its coil 176.

Referring again to the upper portion of Fig. 18, the

I pulse relay switch 162 is connected in series with the normally closedcontact of transfer relay switch 172 and coil 164 from the directcurrent supply line 157 to the common ground line 141. Coil 164 of theNo. 1 time delay relay, as well as coils 166 of the No. 2 time delayrelay and 171 of the transfer relay are respectively provided withsuitable shunt resistances. The normally open contacts of transfer relayswitch 172 and No. 1 time delay relay switch 165 are interconnected by aconductor 192 which also is connected to one side of the No. 2 timedelay relay coil 166, the other side of which is connected to the commonground 141. The normally closed contact of switch 165 is connected inseries fromv supply line 157 to one side of the normally open switch167. The other side of switch 167 is connected by a conductor 193 to oneside of the level step switch release coil 161, the other side of whichis grounded as shown. Conductor 193 is also connected to the normallyopen side of transfer relay switch 173 and one side of reset relayswitch 191. The latter is connected to one side of transfer relay coil171, the other side of which is connected to the common ground 141. Thearm of transfer relay switch 173 is connected to the supply line 157 andits normally closed contact is connected to No. 2 time delay relayswitch 168. The latter is connected in series with a normally open homeswitch 194, a self impulse switch 195 and the digit step switch coil 158to the common ground line 141. The latter coil 158 is also connected bya conductor 196 to the normally closed contact of transfer relay switch174. The arm of switch 174 is connected in series with the pulse relayswitch 163, the latter being connected in parallel, as shown in theupper right corner of Fig. 18, with a suitable resistance and condenser.The normally open contact of transfer relay switch 174 is connected inseries with level step switch step-up coil 159 to the common ground line141.

The operation of the receiver or signal interpreting means 34 of Fig. 18is as follows. At the end of each cycle of operations of the transmitter32, the several parts of the receiver 34 will assume their normalpositions illustrated in Fig. 18. When the first pulse of the firstsignal train is effected, as previously described, pulse relay coil 154is thereby energized to momentarily close pulse relay switches 162 and163. Closing of switch 162 energizes No. 1 time delay relay coil 164 toactuate No. 1 time delay relay switch to close its normally opencontact. This energizes No. 2 time delay relay coil 166 which closesswitch 167 and opens normally closed switches 168 and 169. The two timedelay relays thus are actuated in response to the first signal pulse,and the No. 1 time delay relay is so designed that it will maintainitself in such actuated condition during the time interval (in thenature of A of a second) between :tion of Fig. 18. *relay coil 166 isstill holding because of its energizatron successive pulses of the firstsignal train. In response t'o'eachpulse of the first signal train,switch 163 is closed momentarily to energize the digit step switch C011158. Each such actuation of coil 158 moves the wiper and the firsteffective contact 101, if any of the latter are effective by virtue ofone or both of the page switches '83, 84 being closed, results in alonger interval which causes de-energization of the No. 1 time delayrelay coil 164. As noted, this interval between the first and secondsignal trains is in the nature of /5 of a second, which is sufficient toresult in the No. 1 time delay relay letting This includes the return ofswitch .165 to its condi- At this instant, thevNo. 2 time delay throughswitch 165 until the instant the latter is so returned toits position ofFig. 18, so that the No. 2 time delay relay switch 167 is still closedwhich causes the 'transfer relay coil 171 to be energized. The immediatelay switch 175, so that the reset relay coil 176 is not therebyenergized. This operation of the transfer relay coil automaticallyconditions the receiver for actuation in response to the followingsecond signal train, it there be any signal pulses therein as a resultof page switches '83 and/ or 84 being closed. Again, the electricaldesign of the component parts is such that each signal pulse of thesecond train, through switches 162 and'172, willl temporarilyre-energize the 'No. 2 relay coil 166sufficiently to maintain the sameactive until completion of the second signal train. In the meantime,each pulse of the second signal train, through the resultinginstantaneous closing of pulse relay switch 163, will energize the levelstep switch step-up coil 159, through switch 174, to move the wiper arm177 in a counter-clockwise direction into engagement with the nexthigher numbered contact 178 of the level step switch. It willbeappreciated, of course, that the previous return of No. 1 time delayrelay switch 165 to its position of Fig. 18 while No. 2 time delay relayswitch 167 was closed and the immediately following actuation oftransfer relay switch 173 has energized the level step switch releasecoil 161. So long as this coil'161 is energized, arms177, 183, .184 and185 will remain in any position towhich they are moved in response toenergizations of coils 158 and 159. The wiper arm 177, of course, willremain in its home position of Fig. 18 if there is no second signaltrain pulse, it will be moved into engagement with the #1 contact'178 ifonly one pulse is contained in the second signal train, and if thesecond signal train comprises two spaced pulses, level step switch arm177 will be-moved into engagement with the #2 contact 178. Regardless ofthe specific character of the second signal train,-the No. 2 time delayrelay releases prior to completion of the cycle of operations of thecontrol unit 31. The resulting return of the No. 2 time delay relayswitch 169 to its normal closed position, transfer relay switch 175still being locked closed, will complete an operating circuit fromsupply line 138 through the level step switch arm 177 and one or theother of the three conductors179, 181 or 185, and the properconductor187, to effect the desired selected machine operation, such asenergization of a selector coil of the automatic phonograph 33corresponding to the selected identifying index 41. At the same time,reset relay coil 176 is energized to open switch 191. This breaks thecircuit to transfer relay coil 171.

As previously noted, energization of level step switch release coil 161enables arms 177, 183, 184 and 185 to be latched in any position towhich they are moved. After the above described opening of reset relayswitch 191, transfer relay coil 171 holds its switches 172, 173, 174 and175 momentarily, before releasing to cause their return to the positionsof Fig. 18, so that for such moment or short interval, reset relayswitch 191 is held open (through switch 175 maintaining the circuit'through'coil 176), and switch 173 insures continued energization oflevel step switch release coil 161. As soon as the holding interval oftransfer relay coil 171 terminates, its several switches return to theirhome positions of Fig. This results in de-energization of level stepswitch release coil 161 to cause returnof arms 177, .183, 184 and 185 totheir home positions of Fig. 18. It also deenergizes reset relay coil176 which causes closing of reset relay switch 191. All of the parts arethus returned to their normal positions of Fig.18 to complete the cycleof operations of the receiver or signal interpreting means during whichthe proper electrically operable member within the unit being controlledis actuated in response to the previous actuation of the page members71,72 to select the desired group of identifying indices 41 and theactuation of the particular push button 42 associated with the selectedidentifying index within the selected group.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes maybe made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the formshereinbefore described being merely preferred embodiments thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described having a plurality ofelectrically controllable devices, a plurality ofse- 'lectively operablemanual control members of lesser number than said devices, a pluralityof identifying indices each representing one of said devices, indexsupporting means including page members each mounting a number of saidindices respectively aligned with said manual control members, at leastone of said page members being selectively movable to superpose theindices thereon over those of another of said page members, whereby anydesired one of a plurality of groups of said indices may be selectivelyexposed in visual alignment with said manual control members; signalmeans for automatically effecting a multi-train signal havingcharacteristics peculiar to any one of said indices in response tooperation of the visually aligned said manual control member, comprisinga first signal mechanism operable in response to operation of saidmanual control members to effect a first signal train having identifyingcharacteristics which are different for each said control member, asecond signal mechanism automatically operable in response to operationof said first signal mechanism and in time-spaced relationship theretoto effect a second signal train having identifying characteristics whichare different for each said group of indices, and switch membersautomatically operable in response to selective positioning of said pagemembers for determining the particular group identifying characteristicsof said second signal train in accordance with which of said groups isvisually exposed; and means for receiving said multi-train signal andautomatically interpreting the same to effect operation of thatelectrically controllable device represented by the particularidentifying index visually aligned with the selectively operated manualcontrol member.

2. A machine according to claim 1, in which said receiving meansincludes pulse-responsive means for receiving spaced pulses comprisingsaid first signal train, a multi-blade switch means having a bladerepresenting each of said groups of indices, means controlled by saidpulse-responsive means to actuate said multi-blade switch means, meansconditioned by said pulse-responsive means and automatically operablefollowing the last pulse of said first train to render effective onlythat said blade representing the exposed group of indices, and meansautomatically operable in time-spaced relationship to said second signaltrain to energize the proper one of said electrically controllabledevices and to re-set said receiving means.

3. In a device of the class described, a plurality of selectivelyoperable manual control members, a plurality of identifying indices ofgreater number than said control members, index supporting meansincluding page members each mounting a number of said indicesrespectively aligned with said manual control members, at least one ofsaid page members being selectively movable to superpose the indicesthereon over those of another of said page members, whereby any desiredone of a plurality of groups of said indices may be selectively exposedin visual alignment with said manual control members, and signal meansfor automatically effecting a multi-train signal having characteristicspeculiar to any one of said indices in response to operation of thevisually aligned said manual control member, comprising a first signalmechanism operable in response to operation of said manual controlmembers to effect a first signal train having identifyingcharacteristics which are different for each said control member, asecond signal mechanism automatically operable in response to operationof said first signal mechanism and in time-spaced relationship theretoto effect a second signal train having identifying characteristics whichare different for each said group of indices, and switch membersautomatically operable in response to selective positioning of said pagemembers for automatically determining the particular group identifyingcharacteristics of said second signal train in accordance with which ofsaid groups is visually exposed.

4. In a device according to claim 3, full cycle control means operablein response to operation of any one of said control members formaintaining the same in operated position and preventing operation ofany other said control member until completion of said multi-trainsignal by said signal means.

5. A device according to claim 4, in which an electric motor is operablein response to actuation of any said control member to cyclicallyoperate said signal mechanisms and said full cycle control means.

6. In a device of the class described, a plurality of selectivelyoperable manual control members, a plurality of identifying indices ofgreater number than said control members, index supporting meansincluding page members each mounting a number of said indicesrespectively aligned with said manual control members, at least one ofsaid page members being selectively movable to superpose the indicesthereon over those of another of said page members, whereby any desiredone of a plurality of groups of said indices may be selectively exposedin visual alignment with said manual control members, and signal meansfor automatically effecting a multi-train signal having characteristicspeculiar to any one of said indices in response to operation of thevisually aligned said manual control member including switch membersautomatically operable in response to selective positioning of said pagemembers, said index supporting means being removable as a unit from saiddevice to facilitate selective changing of said indices.

7. A device according to claim 6, in which said page members areprovided with slideways for respectively receiving a paper slip ofsufficient width to accommodate two of said indices, whereby said deviceis adapted for use with a phonograph employing disc records and theindices on each said paper slip will identify the two faces of a saidrecord.

8. In a device according to claim 7, means forming a part of said indexsupporting means for resiliently urging each of said page members toeither of two operable positions.

9. In a device of the class described, means for effecting a multi-trainsignal made up of a first train of a plurality of spaced electricalpulsm and a second train of one or more electrical pulses, withsusbtantially the same time interval between successive pulses in eachsaid train and a greater time interval between said first and secondtrains, comprising a first series of contacts spaced successively fromeach other a certain distance, a continuing second series of contactssimilarly spaced from each other, the last of said first series ofcontacts and the first of said second series of contacts being spacedfrom each other farther than said certain distance, electricallygrounded contact wiper means cyclically engageable successively with thecontacts of said first and second series, selectively operable controlmembers, normally closed switch means connected serially with each otherand each connected electrically with a said contact of said first seriesand opened in response to operation of a said control member, a signalline connected to that said switch means which is connected to the saidlast contact of said first series, normally open and selectivelyclosable switch members connected to said signal line in series witheach other and respectively connected to the contacts of said secondseries, and means for cyclically actuating said wiper means in responseto operation of any one of said control members.

10. In a device according to claim 9, full cycle control means operableby said last recited means for maintaining the said operated controlmember in an operated position and for preventing operation of any othersaid control member until completion of the first train of themulti-train signal.

11. In a device according to claim 10, a plurality of identifying indexmembers selectively movable relative to said control members and eachoperable in one position automatically to close a said switch member.

12. Selectively operable control mechanism for automatic phonographs, orthe like, comprising a plurality of selectively operable and normallyinoperative push buttons, a plurality of identifying indices of greaternumber than said push buttons, index supporting means including pagemembers each mounting a number of said indices respectively aligned withsaid push buttons, at least one of said page members being selectivelymovable to superpose the indices thereon over those of another of saidpage members, whereby any desired one of a plurality of groups of saidindices may be selectively exposed in visual alignment with said pushbuttons; signal means for automatically efiecting a multi-train signalhaving characteristics peculiar to any one of said indices in responseto operation of the visually aligned said push button, comprising afirst signal mechanism operable in response to operation of said pushbuttons to effect a first signal train having identifyingcharacteristics which are different for each said push button, a secondsignal mechanism automatically operable in response to operation of saidfirst signal mechanism and in time-spaced relationship thereto to eifecta second signal train having identifying characteristics which arediiferent for each said group of indices, and switch membersautomatically operable in response to selective positioning of said pagemembers for automatically determining the particular '19 groupidentifying characteristics of said second signal train in accordancewith which of said groups is visually exposed; coin controlled mechanismfor rendering said push buttons operative in response to coin deposit,and full cycle control means, comprising locking mechanism operativelyassociated with all of said push buttons and movable, in response todeposit of a coin in said coin controlled mechanism, from a firstnormally inoperative position to a second operable position for latchingany said push button in depressed position, and automatic controlmechanism operable in response to operation of said signal means tocause said locking mechanism to move to a third position for locking thedepressed push button in depressed position and blocking all of theother said push buttons against depression and operable to re- 152,624,795

lease all of said push buttons automatically following op-,'

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,382,487 Kenney Aug. 14, 1945 2,382,488 Kenney Aug. 14, 1945 2,411,612Boyajian Nov. 26, 1946 2,425,974 Winkler Aug. 19, 1947 2,489,782 JensenNov. 29, 1949 2,551,522 Andres May 1, 1951 2,612,710 Fuller Oct. 7, 19522,622,144 Jensen Dec. 16, 1952 Bodoh Jan. 6, 1953

